Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Remembrance Day this year the Dobell community was honoured to have two Menin Gate buglers along with a representative of the Belgian Last Post Association attend a twilight service at The Entrance memorial and cenotaph. This special visit was organised by Student Voice, a group which involves students from across the Central Coast having a voice in planning, leading and presenting activities. The commemorative service was held at 7 pm in order to coincide with the Menin Gate buglers playing The Last Post with the 11 am playing on the Western Front. It has been many years since Menin Gate buglers have been to Australia. Every day since 1928 the Last Post has been played by the buglers under the Menin Gate in Belgium at 8 pm which is organised by the Last Post Association.

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing commemorates British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in the Ypres-Salient area during World War I, and whose graves are unknown. In researching and planning Remembrance Day the students discovered there were 18 men from the Central Coast named on the Menin Gate wall. For the students that brought even greater significance to the Menin Gate buglers' visit. I am truly impressed by the hard work and mature approach taken by the students in arranging such a poignant event and facilitating the Menin Gate buglers. Their efforts were a great acknowledgement to our service men and women and I congratulate them on the success of this event.